MCK issues statement on November 19 tobacco meeting

11/07/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to  remind the community that there will be a public meeting in regard to the tobacco industry in Kahnawà:ke. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 19 Kentenhkó:wa/November at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
 
The MCK wishes to remind Kahnawa’kehró:non that it continues to support the industry, a position that has been made clear for many years. However, due to lack of local regulations, it has been nearly impossible for the MCK to offer more than moral support.

Over the past several months, the MCK Tobacco Working Group has spent a great deal of time meeting with industry people in a renewed effort to find solutions to long-standing problems. The MCK is hopeful that both the industry and the MCK will work towards creating regulations that will give Kahnawà:ke the tools it needs. With governments, particularly Canada, taking increasing action against the industry, it has become obvious that there is a real need to work together.

“We will never close the door to any sincere attempt to create mechanisms to allow us to promote and defend our jurisdiction,” said Tobacco Portfolio Chief Gina Deer.

“Chief Billy Diabo recently conducted an informal survey of over 300 people that showed almost 70% of those surveyed supporting the idea of regulating the industry, with only 9% against,” she continued. “While it was informal, the question was simple and the number of participants significant enough to give us a sense of how the community feels on the issue.”

The meeting, which is open to the general public, will take place at 7pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall.